China supports the United Nations (UN) Security Council to adopt a new resolution on Iraq, and had already presented a working paper to explain China's position, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in Beijing Tuesday. 

Liu told a press conference that recently Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing talked by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Colin Powell respectively and exchanged opinions with them on relevant issues.

Li also expressed China's proposition and concern in the phone conversations.

Liu said China is carefully studying the draft resolution presented by the United States and Britain to the UN Security Council.

China will continue to participate in the council's discussion and consultation with an active and constructive attitude, he said, adding that China hopes council members will exchange in-depth views and widely hear the opinions of all parties, especially the views of Iraq and other Arab countries as well as the opinion of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

China hopes that relevant parties will reach consensus at an early date, and create conditions for an early realization of "Iraqi people governing Iraq" and a full play of the UN's role, Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2004)